Self-righting roadway warning flag



Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELF-RIGHTING ROADWAY WARNING FLAG John P. Worhun, West Orange, N. J.

Application July 19, 1949, Serial No. 105,494

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a roadway marker or warning flag.

An important object is to provide a roadway marker for use in warning motorists that lines are being painted upon the highway, the marker being self-righting, when struck by a vehicle, or the like.

A further object is to provide a roadway marker, having a flag which will function like a weather vane during a slight breeze.

A still further object is to provide a roadway marker of the above mentioned type which is highly simplified, extremely durable, and cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a roadway marker embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, and,

Figure 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the marker, a flag being removed.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a rockable cup-shaped base which may be spherically curved, and provided at its bottom with a relatively small flat face 6. The base 5 has a very low center of gravity, and when rocked upon a flat surface, will return to rest upon the flat face 6. The top edge I of the base is horizontal and straight as shown. The base 5 includes a central upstanding tubular hub 8, arranged inwardly of the side of the base, as shown, and having its top flush with the top edge I. The hub 8 has a vertical bore 9, extending through the bottom of the base, and screw threaded at its opposite end portions, as shown at Ill and II.

Detachably mounted within the upper screw threaded portion I ll of the bore 9 is a short cylindrical tubular sleeve I2, screw threaded at its lower end, as shown, for engagement within the screw threaded portion I0.

Truly rotatably mounted within the sleeve I2 is an elongated upstanding cylindrical tube or standard I3, provided at its bottom with an annular radial flange I4, for engagement below the lower end of the sleeve I 2, and within the bore 9. The tube I3 is provided above the top of sleeve I2 with a transverse opening I5, receiving a cotter pin I6, or the like. A flat thrust washer I! may be arranged between the top end of the sleeve I2 and the cotter pin I6 as ShOWIl-a The cotter pin I6 and flange I4 prevent longitudinal movement of the tube or standard I3, but permit it to rotate freely. The tube I3 is provided in its side and top end with'a straight longitudinal narrow slot I8.

Readily removably mounted within the slot I8 2 is a flat rectangular flag I9, which may be substantially rigid, and provided at its inner vertical edge with an enlarged rib or bead 2G, wider than the slot I8, and adapted to enter the tube I3 fromthe top thereof.

In use, the marker may be placed upon a roadway to warn motorists that white lines are being painted, or for other similar purposes. If there is any wind, the flag I9 will turn into it, in the manner of a weather vane, since the tube or standard I3 is rotatable. If the marker is tipped over, it will immediately return automatically to the upright position.

If desired, the base 5 may be inverted, and the sleeve I2 screwed into the screw threaded portion I I, the marker resting upon the straight edge 1.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A roadway marker comprising a wide substantially spherically curved base which is recessed in its top for forming an upstanding tubular hub having a bore which is screw threaded at its top end, a short upright screw threaded sleeve mounted within the screw threaded bore of the hub and having its upper end extending above the top of the hub and its bottom end terminating near the longitudinal center of the bore of the hub, the sleeve having a smooth bore, an elongated tube freely rotatably mounted within the smooth bore of the sleeve and provided at its bottom end with an annular radial flange disposed within the bore of the hub and engaging the bottom end of the sleeve for preventing upward axial movement of the tube, a fiat thrust washer surrounding the tube and engaging the top of the sleeve, the tube being provided adjacent to the top of'the washer with a transverse opening, a transverse pin mounted within the transverse opening of the tube and bearing upon the top of the washer for holding the tube against downward axial movement while permitting it to rotate freely, and a substantially rigid flat flag secured to the tube near its top for rotation with the tube when acted upon by the wind.

JOHN P. WORHUN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

